Chapter 15 Information Technology Careers

Presentation Overview Career Opportunities in Information Technology Preparation for an IT Career Work Environments

Career Opportunities in Information Technology What career opportunities are in IT? technician installs and maintains hardware/software technical sales and training emphasize interpersonal and technical skills application developer adapts software for use within a new system application development jobs include system analysts, database administration, network administration, and Web administration

Career Opportunities in Information Technology Sales and Support Careers technical services install and maintain hardware and software technical support responds to requests from customers for assistance technical sales educates potential customers about your product so they want to buy it technical training teaches how to use systems technical writer writes documentation about systems

Career Opportunities in Information Technology Average annual sales for jobs in sales and support, 2005

Career Opportunities in Information Technology Software Development Careers system programmer develops system software rather than application software application programmer works with application software multimedia developers include graphic artists, digital sound editors, and animation specialists quality assurance testers test each feature of a new product and record all deficiencies

Career Opportunities in Information Technology Average annual sales for jobs in software development, 2005

Career Opportunities in Information Technology Application Development Careers system analyst gathers requirements and develops a design for systems database administrator responsible for day-to-day operation of a database network administrator operates and maintains a company network Web administrator develops and maintains a Web site with multiple pages

Career Opportunities in Information Technology Average annual sales for jobs in application development, 2005

Career Opportunities in Information Technology Hardware Design Careers hardware designer designs specifications for computer hardware such as CPUs, video cards, and memory chips job is part electrical engineering and part programming requires advanced training and problem-solving skills

Career Opportunities in Information Technology Average annual sales for jobs in hardware design, 2005

Preparation for an IT Career What training is needed to succeed in an IT career? Three main types of computer-related college degrees provide a solid background: • computer science • computer engineering • computer information systems certificate programs are industry-sponsored and offer specialized training in products of the sponsoring corporation

Preparation for an IT Career College Degree Programs Computer Science focuses on creating new software through programming requires advanced mathematics, basic chemistry, and basic physics graduates typically become programmers for software companies or applications developers for IT consulting firms

Preparation for an IT Career College Degree Programs Computer Engineering focuses on hardware design hybrid of computer science and electrical engineering; degree requires all the core courses of study from each graduates typically hired by companies that work in factory automation, computer hardware design, or system-level software development

Preparation for an IT Career College Degree Programs Computer Information Systems focuses on application development with existing software rather than creation of new software requires mixture of business and computer science courses graduates typically become application developers or Web or database administrators

Preparation for an IT Career Comparison of entry-level salaries for degree programs, 2005

Preparation for an IT Career Certificate Programs focused in their outlook; train individuals for particular job working with specific type of product student can gain an industry certificate and enter job market in a few months student must pass a standardized test for most certifications

Preparation for an IT Career Major types of certification

Preparation for an IT Career Certificate Programs CompTIA Certification sponsored by Computing Technology Industry Association not specific to a particular vendor’s hardware or software shows evidence of a broad range of experience certification obtained by testing at a local center that provides independent services for standardized tests

Preparation for an IT Career Certificate Programs CTP Certification sponsored by Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) certificate holders have good grasp of telephony, infrastructure, signaling, and Voice over IP applicants pay $125 and pass an exam

Preparation for an IT Career Major types of certification,continued

Preparation for an IT Career Certificate Programs Microsoft • Microsoft Office Specialist certifies users in Microsoft programs such as Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook • Microsoft Certified Professional qualifies individuals to develop applications using Microsoft software • Microsoft Certified Solution Developer qualifies users of Microsoft Visual Studio to write software

Preparation for an IT Career Certificate Programs Microsoft • Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certifies network administrators who manage LANs or WANs with hundreds or thousands of computers • Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator certifies computer technicians who implement, manage, and maintain Windows-based systems • Microsoft Certified Database Administrator certifies database administrators who specialize in Microsoft Access

Preparation for an IT Career Major types of certification,continued

Preparation for an IT Career Certificate Programs Cisco Certificates • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certifies holder to install and manage small networks • Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) is certified to design small home or office networks • Cisco Certified Internetworking Professional (CCIP) certifies individual has detailed knowledge of Cisco networking system • Additional Cisco Qualified Specialist certificates are available for specific networking technologies

Preparation for an IT Career Certificate Programs Oracle offers certificates on Oracle application development and database administration, including • Oracle Certified Application Developer (OCAD) • Oracle Certified Database Administrator (OCDBA)

Work Environments How does work environment affect career choice? evaluate work environment and business model to ensure they are a good match for you salaried employees do not get paid for overtime; hourly employees do most highly paid positions of responsibility are salaried, but often require longer workdays

Work Environments Ergonomics ergonomics is designing equipment so that it is comfortable to operate and does not cause injury repetitive motion injury occurs when a joint or nerve is overused carpel tunnel syndrome involves swelling of the sheathe of nerves that runs from forearm through wrist and into hand

On the Horizon Based on the information presented in this chapter and your own experience, what do you think is on the horizon? Suggested final slide for each chapter. CLH SLIDE Please have this slide be the final slide for each chapter.